My mission is to guide patients toward achieving and maintaining a balance in life and optimal health.
In 1986, a few years after graduating from medical school in Hungary, I followed my husband, a neuroscientist, to the U.S.
Initially, we settled in San Diego, California, where I worked in clinical research at the Department of Internal Medicine at UCSD.
Since graduating from medical school, I have had an interest in psychosomatic medicine. I pursued this interest by starting residency in Internal Medicine in Hungary, then pursuing clinical research, and finally a residency in Psychiatry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in NJ (UMDNJ).
After graduating from my residency program, I joined the faculty at UMDNJ. A year later, I accepted a position at Columbia University, where I became an Assistant Clinical Professor in Psychiatry.
I conducted research and authored journal articles on various aspects of psychiatry, including postpartum depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression, suicide, and schizophrenia.
I have gradually built up my private practice in NJ and joined the Faculty at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ in 2000.
I served as Chair Person/Clinical Chief of Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, Overlook Medical Center, from 2008 to 2016.
I was always interested in treating the “whole person” and believed that the emotional symptoms have biological roots. When a person is “stressed,” anxious, or depressed, we cannot treat the symptoms alone. We have to understand the root cause of the symptoms and the dynamics of the imbalance that presents as “illness.”
I am interested in exploring the underlying genetic vulnerabilities, other medical conditions, the chronology of events and illnesses as they develop, and other relevant factors (family history, lifestyle, etc.). This information can guide us in how to proceed.
A number of years ago, I was introduced to Functional Medicine, which applies principles based on scientific evidence and focuses on treating the whole person rather than medicating symptoms.
Emphasizing the importance of prevention and education and developing a healthy lifestyle has helped my patients and me personally. I am passionate about offering a science-based and personalized approach to all my patients.
EDUCATION:
Pecsi Orvostudomany Egyetem (Medical School, Pecs, Hungary)
ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
Internship and Residency in Psychiatry at UMDNJ, NJ
POSITIONS:
Research Associate at the University of California at San Diego
Instructor at the Department of Psychiatry, UMDNJ, NJ
Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University, NY
LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, & AWARDS:
Licensed in NJ and NY
Board Certified in Psychiatry
Listed among America's Top Psychiatrists (2006-2015)
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS:
Clinical Chief/Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJ (2008-2016)
Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association
Member of AMA, APA, and NJPA
Former President of the Tri-County Chapter of the NJPA
Member of the Institute of Functional Medicine
Board Certified and Member of the American Board of Integrative and Holistic Medicine